The removal of the seventh Century body follows the discovery of a rare ceremonial brass bowl on the site at Palmerston Road, Woodston, Peterborough.

The priceless Coptic bowl, which was made more than 1,300 years ago in the Mediterranean, has led historical experts to conclude they had discovered the grave of an extremely wealthy Anglo-Saxon – probably a prince or a powerful warlord from the ancient kingdom of Mercia.

Excavation by archaeologists from Peterborough Museum has now confirmed that the 2ft-wide brass bowl was part of a lavish pagan funeral, in which a rich lord was buried with his most valuable possessions.

Ben Robinson, who is leading the dig, said: "The bowl was found near the arm bones, which suggest it was placed on the man's chest and his arms placed around it.

"It looks like the body was lying on its back when it was laid to rest. We've discovered an arm, bits of a left leg, teeth and fragments of a jaw bone.

"The bones are very well preserved, but they have been disturbed - probably by ploughing centuries ago.

"We've done a metal detector sweep of the are and we have not discovered any significant metal finds."

The precious bowl itself is currently being examined by forensic archaeologists at Anglia Ruskin University, in Cambridge.

Dr Francis Pryor, an expert from Channel Four's Time Team programme and the city's Flag Fen Bronze Age centre, said today: "This is a very significant find in terms of the city's history . Peterborough was founded around 650AD when most people were pagans, but there was an increasing move towards Christianity."

Allotment holder Helen McGlashon (26), of Belsize Avenue, Woodston, who unearthed human bones that lead to the find and the subsequent excavation, was one of the volunteers helping at the dig.

She said: "It's amazing to think people have grown vegetables and gone to school nearby without realising there is such an incredible piece of history under their feet.

"I can't quite believe it is happening. I thought it was just some old bones at first, but the story just gets more amazing every day.